How To Get A Job When You Leave Military Service

When you start your job search after leaving the military, sit down and think about the experience you have gained while being a member of the Armed Forces. Because active duty members are usually so busy and always focusing on the next inspection, visit, or drill, they can take for granted some of the attributes they have learned while serving our country. So let's take a minute and review some of those attributes which, I think, if properly articulated will really help you in your job search. Here are some of the many capabilities we learned during our time on active duty but by no means the full compliment.
One of the first things we learn enlisted or officer is that we are a team. From the very beginning of our career we are taught teamwork. Former military personnel are team players and realize to get things done efficiently and effectively takes a coordinated effort of a team.
All teams have leaders! Our military is a breeding ground of great leaders. Every service puts great emphasis on teaching and preaching good leadership. We go to schools throughout our careers and learn leadership techniques and attributes. We are constantly put in positions of leadership and tested based on our organization's success. Leadership is a prime attribute to articulate in your job search. Along with leadership are dependability and/or reliability.
One thing I have discovered since retiring from the military is that civilian employers have a hard time finding dependable and reliable people. Military personnel have a reputation in the civilian world as being dependable and reliable about being to work on time, putting in a full day, and staying with a job. Employers don't like having to always wonder if their employees are going to be in the office each day and they know that military personnel can be counted on when it comes to meeting the company standards.
Have you thought about how important the ability to multi-task is? We learn quite a bit about multi-tasking during our time in the military. This attribute is sought after by employers because it can save them money and also increase effectiveness. This is something you shouldn't forget about during your job search.
What about responsibility? Think about how much responsibility the military gives to their personnel. Young Airmen are in charge of the maintenance of billion dollar aircraft. Men and women are responsible for maintaining and operating nuclear weapons in a safe manner. That responsibility only grows through a military career and provides invaluable experience for you when you are searching for a job. Imagine telling you potential employer that you were responsible for the care and maintenance of a multi-million weapon system!! That's responsibility most people can't claim.
Finally, and I'm sure you can relate to this, we teach and constantly work our budgets! Budgets are something a military person always pays attention to! Your experience knowing how to live within a budget is an invaluable skill. Having to do more with less is the norm as a military member and bringing that experience to the civilian job market can only enhance your chances of finding a job.
You know as well as I do that I could go on and on about the other skills and attributes that you learned during your military career which, I believe provide you with a "leg up" in your search for a job. I encourage you to sit down and list those attributes that you gained during your time in the military and why they are so important to your potential employer. These attributes are just as important as your specific accomplishments as a military member. Understand how you can weave these characteristics in your cover letter, resume, and in your conversations during an interview. Having been through numerous job searches since I retired, these characteristics served me well in landing jobs. Remember, in our current economy employers are looking for people like you. Tell them what you can do, and then show them they made the right decision!